The Aisle Diaries Podcast

It was a chaotic morning for Sophie...

• TAEPodcast • Season 1 • Episode 29

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0:00 | 51:17

This week on The Aisle Diaries Podcast, Joella and Sophie are joined by an experienced wedding planner to answer the questions every engaged couple wants to know.

From managing budgets and timelines to dealing with family dynamics and wedding day logistics, we're diving into what really goes on behind the scenes of planning a wedding—and the mistakes couples can easily avoid.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ The biggest wedding planning mistakes couples make
✨ When you should start planning your wedding
✨ Why a wedding planner can save you time, money and stress
✨ Budgeting tips every couple should know
✨ Managing family expectations during the planning process
✨ Creating a realistic wedding timeline
✨ The importance of trusting your suppliers
✨ Behind-the-scenes stories from real weddings

Plus, we chat about the unexpected moments that happen on wedding days, why flexibility is so important, and the advice every couple should hear before saying "I do."

Whether you're newly engaged, halfway through planning, or simply love hearing insider stories from the wedding industry, this episode is full of practical advice and honest conversations.

🎧 Follow The Aisle Diaries Podcast for weekly wedding planning tips, supplier insights, bridal spirals and real conversations from behind the scenes of weddings.

Produced by TAEPodcast - www.taepodcast.co.uk

SPEAKER_00

Oh Cheers, Holly. Welcome back. It was a chaotic morning for Sophie. Honestly, when I saw those police cars, I was like, no. And then when I tripped. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. And then there's just a what was it, two or three? Two police cars, and then I saw another one on the way. Oh no.

SPEAKER_01

But it wasn't that bad. Like there was no. Is everybody okay? Well, yeah, they're all still outside having an argument. So maybe the police were called for them, not the problem. But I was loving sitting in traffic watching it all day done. Um anger kind of vibe, isn't it, from whoever's got into the crash. Oh. It's really nice to sit still.

SPEAKER_00

And and not do anything. Yeah. Other than talking.

SPEAKER_02

Well, even though we are actually doing something, but I know.

SPEAKER_00

I could actually fall asleep. I know. How are you? How where do we begin?

SPEAKER_02

Welcome to the IOL Diaries Podcast. The place where you find out what really happens behind the chaos and confetti. Because someone's got to tell you the truth. And it's never boring. With tips for your big day, I'm Sophie. And I'm Joella. I don't even know. When did I last it was what we last saw each other? What? Three weeks, three weeks ago today. It was three weeks ago. I looked last night before I put up my Instagram story. I was like, I'm pretty sure it was three weeks. Yeah. So what's happening the three weeks? I don't know. What's happened for you? Um, a lot. It's what I think we'll wet we're so if you well, you are listening to this. There's no if you are listening to this, but because you wouldn't hear this otherwise. Um we are in the middle of wedding season.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I mean, I feel like I was thinking on the way here, every time I start these episodes, I'm like, I'm really tired. But no, that like this time I'm really tired.

SPEAKER_02

Like, I feel like yesterday I could not function. Yeah. And my couple was like, you shouldn't have come and met me. And I'm like, no, no, no, no, that is not going to happen. Like I'm not going to cancel on you. And like, yeah, it will fill us in what's going on with wedding season. Where have you been? Who have you seen? My phone's on charge. I'm gonna have to be on like a little bit of an angle. So if you are watching on YouTube, sorry.

SPEAKER_01

Um I've been everywhere, like literally everywhere. Um probably let's start off with the gorgeous Coleshaw Hall wedding with Holly. Only because That was hot though. It was the hottest day of the year. It was then it was. I think there's been hotter since though, haven't there? I don't know. I think it was 37 in that place. I'm pretty in the actual in Colshaw Hall. Yeah, because there's so there's only AC in the men's den, not the house. There is. Which is that I just think is ridiculous.

SPEAKER_02

Especially because, no offence, but all they have to really do is put a suit on.

SPEAKER_01

And yeah, yeah, I mean, I think both should have it. The amount that place costs.

SPEAKER_02

I think so too, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01

It's beautiful, like it is one of the most stunning, unbelievable venues. In two weeks, yeah, and that new prep room, like oh honestly, just everything about it, but it was so it's hard. It was I'm I'm not even exaggerating. Dripping suppliers like me, the hairstylist, had sweat beads coming down on X, and then the beautiful bride had like the most insane but biggest stress, and she was just like, Oh, I just felt really sorry for her. But she said she had a mega day. I mean, when you're the bride in green, you don't really feel it, I suppose, because you're on adrenaline. You do and you don't, you don't feel it, but you do.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you feel it when you're having your photos done and you're outside and that kind of thing, but when you're in the ceremony, you don't because you're just concentrated on each other.

SPEAKER_01

And the ceremony room did have AC. It was just like the morning, it was I can't tell you how hot I felt. Like it was just how nice though.

SPEAKER_02

Can we just take a moment? Is there a new prep room?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, like unbelievable. Stunning. It actually took my breath away. I stood at the door and gasped. I went, oh, did you actually Yeah, and everyone was laughing. I was like, no, this is makeup artist and hairstylist Kevin.

SPEAKER_02

Like what stunning, absolutely have you seen the new Merydale one? No, that's gorgeous as well. Which one's better, do you think? I think the Merydale one's better for changing, I think, because obviously they've got the four um like changing rooms. You know how like when you go into a fitting room and like when you go close shopping, they've got four of them, so the bridesmaids can get changed. Yeah, whereas coleshaw just have a curtain, don't they? Yeah. Whereas but they hair and makeup is still not done in there, it's still done in the other bit. Yeah, okay. So you would say kept clean for bridesmaids to get changed.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, intriguing. I actually do more at Coleshaw than Meridale. Both? Yeah. I mean, I still want more and more there because it's just like I'm up the road and it's beautiful.

SPEAKER_02

I know, I I love being there and like I've got a wedding there on the 6th of August and helping them set up on the 5th because they're staying over in the house the night prior. Um which helps and makes such a difference break time. So helping them set up because they've done quite a bit themselves. Um and then I'll be there obviously on the 6th, but it then means that on the 6th there's less things to run around and do from every other supplier's point of view and can concentrate on other things. Um and then yeah, I went there for their final details. Last week I saw you. I need my calendar here so I can actually remember what I've done.

SPEAKER_01

I know, let me backtrack. So obviously, for me, that was an amazing day, but probably a day where I was like, oh my god, that was so hot. So, what was that? That was June. I've had so many bridal trials, so many prom appointments. Literally worked all you've been going absolutely crazy with prom at the beginning. Yeah. Well, the last two weeks. Had an amazing wedding this weekend, another farmer's um daughter. That was absolutely unbelievable. Um they know how to do it and they do it all themselves. Yeah. Um yeah, like a tractor took them down the road to the like the local church, which was like Nantwich Way, um, and the bride, and just just the whole vibe was it the whole group was just a vibe. I don't know, you know, when you're just like, I just love these people.

SPEAKER_02

It was the same for me on Saturday. We had um one in Shropshire. Yeah. And that was his mum and dad's farm. Oh, amazing. Yeah, so they did they did everything themselves, they did the whole barn up. Yeah, because they'd they'd literally c cleared the cow shed. Yeah. And like scrubbed the floor, everything. It was honestly, it was spotless. It was insane. Everyone was like, oh my god, the turnaround of in here compared to usual was just incredible.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, if it's a farm, like and a use.

SPEAKER_02

And a used farm, yeah. So they had the the cow shed completely cleared. They had I think off the top of our head, yeah, it was, it was just under 20 tables in there. Um clearing top tables. So it was because they had like hundreds of people. So they had um just shy of 120. Um, and then in the evening it went up to was it 120? My god.

SPEAKER_01

So Lives this weekend was 180 in the day, 300 in the evening.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so I know it was I don't know why they didn't have a wedding coordinator.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, Liv. Yeah. I don't know if they did, I don't know. I don't know if they did or not. I didn't actually ask. Um but their their farm, so it was on like a paddock, and there was like I think five huge barn houses, and all the family lived in this paddock.

SPEAKER_02

See, whereas mine was a smaller one. Right. It was a smaller, it was obviously a massive farm still, but it was a smaller number. So sorry, I like it was 150 in the evening, and then there were 20 additional guests in the in the 150 in the daytime and a 20 additional guests in the evening. Still big though, isn't it? Yeah, massive. Um so they got she got ready at home. So we started off at the farm. Um bless her. She um filled out when she filled out the booking form, she'd put the address wrong on the booking farm. Luckily, you double checked. No, no, no. Luckily, it was only 10 minutes away. Um so we went there and I was like, this doesn't feel right. And obviously George is with me.

SPEAKER_00

Oh no, I hate that.

SPEAKER_02

I was like, this doesn't I was like, this doesn't feel right. I was like, this isn't it. And then this woman, this elderly woman comes out with a grey hand and I'm stroking the grey hand and she's like, don't worry, two other suppliers did it yesterday. You've literally just got to go up the road, turn left, turn right, and you're there. For her.

SPEAKER_01

No, don't because obviously I'm I go on my own. Yeah, I can't tell you when there's no signal as well, because you're in the middle of nowhere. When it's not a venue, I'm like, I need what what three words? Uh huh. I need you to drop my pin, I need an emergency contact number.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so we have obviously this we had four emergency contact numbers. Yeah. Um, but I was like to George, I was like, this just doesn't feel so she she had it on her phone, I had it on mine.

SPEAKER_01

Um but then when I'm on my own, I'm like, Yeah, it's a lot to do.

SPEAKER_02

You know a lot to do on your own. Um, but yeah, that was the same. That was a really good, a good wedding. There's some some really good and stunning photos as well. I've had the sneak peeks back already. Yeah, I love I love it when they're quick with them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Where else did I go? Oh, Delamare.

SPEAKER_02

I've been at Delamare haven't been.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I did the lovely Ninny, um, which was like a whole different culture and just like again absolute vibe. She looked beautiful. Your photos from that look stunning. Yeah, it was quite um quite a chaotic morning.

SPEAKER_02

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

Um I don't know.

SPEAKER_02

Could anything have been helped?

SPEAKER_01

Um, maybe.

SPEAKER_02

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. The last bit was just like well, I don't know. So I guess she wouldn't mind me take saying, but she had like this literally like pristine white, plain, beautiful wedding gown. Like quite big. And for some reason they decided to get changed, so her sister and her, yeah, which was a maid of honour, and go in, and then go and use the the bathroom and you have a wig. Yeah, oh no. So as her sisters pulled her dress up, I didn't do her sister's makeup actually, but all of her makeup smeared at the back of the dress. I need to share the footage, I've videoed it all. So as she's come out, I was like, oh like I literally I looked at the photographer and I looked at the hairstylist and I was like, oh my god, I was like, there's literally a face print all at the back of the dress. Oh. Because these this family were we had like deep skin as well, so you know, it was gonna be very obvious on a white piece of fabric. Um, so the lady at Delamere, the coordinator, um, she did the chalk method and she managed to get a lot of it out. I mean, it wasn't completely gone. I'll share, I'll share it because I was videoing it. I was like, this needs to be on TikTok because I've got the whole thing. Yeah. Um, and she worked at um Coleshaw actually. She's moved to Delamare now. She's the new um yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. Um oh god, what's her name? Because I was like, I recognise you, and she was like, Yeah, I've come from Coleshaw. She's like, I thought the same about you. I was like, Oh, no way. Anyway, going off tangent there, but she did an amazing job. Um, and then it was like her and she, there was a lot of them, and Ninny was getting fumes, like she was like, Where's my sister? So basically, because her sister smeared her makeup on the dress just before they were going down. Her sister then went and touched her makeup up, and everyone was like, We need you. Like, we're about to walk down the aisle because it's a house. Oh, yeah. Everything was quite convenient if like she was running up and down, like she wasn't getting it basically. She was a lot younger, so she was so Nini was just like looking at me and was like, Do you want me to get involved here? Um, but the photographer managed to step in and he was like downstairs.

SPEAKER_02

What did you have? There's a photographer, Shemba.

SPEAKER_01

Um oh, so this is another part of it. So the photographer that was originally booked cancelled the morning of because he had a sickness bug and he was being ill on the way. So he got one of his other suppliers um to fill in. So no, I didn't I didn't know him, but he was brilliant. But Ninny sat in the hairstylist chair looking at the yeah, getting the messages, looking at his Instagram. Um, I mean, again, Delame were absolutely insane explaining it all honestly. They were everyone was amazing. Yeah, and um when Ninny saw the new guy's profile, she was like, he's he's uh pretty much identical to the one we originally chose.

SPEAKER_02

But this is the thing, so like I was on the phone to um a photographer on my way to the wedding on Friday, um, because they text to say um a photographer's broken down on the way to a wedding. The wedding was obviously in Brighton. Um and this is the thing, but when you put it into there's so many connections within like it's the same as like if I was at a point there would never be, I would literally be throwing up at your wedding before I'd even cancel.

SPEAKER_01

Like this guy was, yeah. He was I think he actually was like shitting his pants on the way. Like he had CMB, yeah. It wasn't like this one going round though at the minute as well.

SPEAKER_02

Like, because I had it, didn't I, a couple of weeks ago?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so it wasn't I did feel it because she was a bit few, she was like panicking.

SPEAKER_02

I mean you would be because it's it should be out.

SPEAKER_01

I know and your photos, it's your photos, you know what I mean? Like if they're wrong, you've got you won't like your photograph. So I get it, but anyway, this bloke was so nice he they sent and such a chirpy soul. Again, he was absolutely sweating, like beads of sweat was pouring down him, bless him, because it was so hot on her wedding day again.

SPEAKER_02

And also the other photographer will do all the editing. And then he said that, yeah. He's like, I'm just literally capturing and it'll get sent and it'll get sent to him, and then he'll do it the editing. You're getting the same thing, yeah. It's just it's just what will be taken, and also if he's got a similar style, photographers and videographers as well will always try and match to whoever they because there's a lot of people that will will know people that do the exact same thing as them. It's like I know I would if I needed a hand, there's about four other wedding planners that I'd be like, look, trust yeah, I'd trust with my life.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, same with makeup artists, yeah. And then I need to be careful what I say here.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, I'll go on.

SPEAKER_01

I'll just stir my star onto like anticipation. Another element to like the morning of it being a little bit like not the norm. Okay. Um, I mean, I still had a great time and Laura was amazing who assisted me.

SPEAKER_02

So don't need to say if you don't want to.

SPEAKER_01

There was one particular no, I feel like I should. Okay. Because if you're a makeup artist and you're like, or like a me like my kind of supplier, you'll be like, oh my god, I know where she's going. So I feel like I should.

SPEAKER_00

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

And we're gonna keep it real, aren't we, on the podcast. So I won't mention any names. But there was like one particular supplier who I would work very close with, and she was really nice, but I feel like she just didn't know a place. Oh no. And she was so attentive, it was actually amazing to to Ninny, the bride. But I feel like there was no reading the room, and a lot of us were like, like, leave it, like leave it, like it's not you.

SPEAKER_02

Oh no.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so I don't want to dig too much because I'm gonna I want to ask questions, but at the same time, I she wasn't local, she was a really lovely girl, like I'm not sure she'd done that many weddings before. Okay, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Experience? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

I like I feel like you're on the edge to your own. I know. Someone's gonna be like, oh, you want like you need you can't say half of it. So she was on hair. Yeah. Um and she just kind of went like the photographer and videographer asked something, yeah. She was like answering to who were they asking to to bride or to Yeah, and just as a group. Okay. And then like she was shouting over to me, telling me that what I should be doing. Oh, okay. And I was like, I will do, but I'm letting her have some photos first. Like I can't get in the way of their shot. So I know my place when to touch up and stuff. Yeah. They call me over, I know I will I will say, Oh, before you get any more, can I just can I just that's how do you know what I mean? I I know exactly what you mean.

SPEAKER_02

I think also, like, is it's time and place?

SPEAKER_01

Like, yeah, and I and it was and it was actually getting quite intense anyway, especially in the situation with the sister. Everyone was a bit like, let's try and sort this.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And she was just like, Oh! Like the gasp wasn't needed. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

Don't put your don't put how you would react and that is stress on it.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and I was just like, I honestly was like this. I mean, a few of us were like this at one another, like just be fine.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. So we had I don't know. I know I know exactly what you mean, and it's it's how to deal with a situation that happens, but you just don't tell that couple. Exactly. You just don't cool and collect if you're not.

SPEAKER_01

No matter what you're feeling in your head, this is part of being a wedding supplier.

SPEAKER_02

Not even gonna lie, me on Saturday, just before the bride's about to walk down the aisle, one of the guests passes out because of the heat. Oh, you're joking. Luckily, she propped herself up again like to pass out against a nurse. So she turned around to me and was like, Can somebody help? Can somebody help? She when I say she's here, the entrance to the barn of where the bride is walking down is here. The bride has pulled up in the car here. The guest is literally. If you can't see this, like please go and watch on YouTube. So if the bride is here, there's literally the end of the barn here, and she's gonna walk down here to go down the aisle. The guest passes out here. So she fell on the floor. She was on a high chair, so she fell onto it and put her onto the floor, pulled her into the recovery position. Um, I went and grabbed a um hydration tablet because the photographer had a whole packet, went and grabbed a hydration tablet off the photographer, went and got her a fruit shoot because we had a full supply of and I was like, let's just give her give her sugar. I had a fan on me, so she had that on her. The celebrant had a neck fan.

SPEAKER_01

Had she not drank a lot at all? She's prone to it violently. Um I feel her actually, because I have low pressure.

SPEAKER_02

But she was an elderly lady. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. Um I have low blood pressure, so I can't even have a bath. I remember you we having this conversation. I do know it's a horrible feeling.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so she she obviously she was. I was I just ran up to the cellar and was like, just give us five minutes. She's one of the guests is just just passed out with the with the heat and stuff. And she was like, Okay, fine. So obviously the photograph photographer was brilliant. Um, she was like, she was going round and being like, right, who's got some cream on, who hasn't? Yeah. Because in the middle of a field, there were 20 odd bold people. So she was going round like this with her literally, you know, with the run of the roll on things, and she was like, This, she's like, my husband's bald to come on. You need someone like that, but she was obviously the distracted, and I wasn't gonna go up and say that to Karen to the groom or anything, and obviously to the bride as well. Um, but as I went round the corner to the bride, once we'd sorted out the gas, she was like, We've just um one of the bridesmates is just uh come on. So we're just gonna be two minutes. That's fine, because it gave me chance to go back out, came on time of the month. I should just not this, it's haunting me. I know you that happened to at your wedding. What the f and but so and I was like, that's fine, you've got plenty of time. It's celebrant wedding as well. I was like, honestly, take your time, it's okay. Yeah, like don't rush yourself because that's when things go even worse. Yeah, and I was like, Don't worry, it's fine. Um, went round, but obviously I wasn't gonna say anything about that guest to the bride, I wasn't gonna say anything to the groom. And she came up to me later and she was like, Somebody told me somebody passed out. And I was like, Well, I wasn't going to say anything to you, but yes, I was like, they're okay. And she's like, It's fine, it's one of my relatives. I was like, Okay. Well, she okay, the relatives. In fact, she stayed for the whole day. Yeah, and she was fantastic because it's such a big thing. And I served her table first with food. I was like, You need well uh I served um because it was barbecue, setting up top table and and the bride bridal party, and then her table. I was like, go and get food. Oh god. Um, I mean, you sorted it, it's just not ideal, is it? Like the bride and gloom bless them. They'd got two massive fridge freezers, like the proper American style ones with water, Red Bulls, yeah, fruit shoots, ice, or everything in for suppliers. So, like the relative felt so bad because she was fat to be fair, she was yeah, and I said to her and a couple of others said you stay here because this that bit was in shade. One of them actually had a four-month-old baby as well. And I was like, You stay there because there's no point in you going out there and then it happened again. I was like, You can watch from from here. And she was like, Thank you so much. So we got her a lower chair and just sat her down.

SPEAKER_01

Liv's Liv's sister that so the wedding I did on Saturday had a baby five days ago. This is made up on uh in a dress, and she was like so excited for the day.

SPEAKER_02

This is really common at the minute. I've got another wedding where that she's literally due that week, which is gonna come. And I'm like, I know I was like a bridesmaid of the house.

SPEAKER_01

I stopped at the group and I was like, Can we just take a moment for your sister? Like, I know it's your wedding day, but she pushed a child out of her five days five days ago, and here she is for you. And everyone was like, I know. I mean, it was actually so emotion like having that little child there, and like her sister just she was just couldn't wait to watch her sister get married. That's good after all that, and just how you know, emotional and hormonal. Would be at that point.

SPEAKER_02

I still am. You could talk to me about crying and I'll cry. But honest to God, your hormones after post-pregnancy just yeah, it's for baby blue time at five days, isn't it? So like everything will just hit you hard. Everything will hit you hard. So her watching her sister get married with a bit of emotional. I know. But yeah, it was hard. And she was tiny. Probably hoped that they were on family, family land then as well, because you could just take herself off. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

But it was so hot, wasn't it, again? Yeah. On Saturday, I was like, be careful. Yeah. Um, so yeah, no, it's been it's been lovely. Personal life has been wild. Not gonna lie. Yeah. Um so much has gone on, so I will talk about it. It's absolutely fine. So, in the mix of all the wedding season, prom and whatever else, my husband's dad passed away. So obviously turning up to work with all that going on at home has been just a whirlwind, to be honest. Um yeah, and the day so the day it happened Tuesday, so three weeks ago, I had the next day off Wednesday, thankfully. So very much like just with the family, and then I was straight back to work on the Thursday. Luckily, I was in the pod and there was prom and just like just people going out to occasion makeup, but um my head was honestly everywhere, and um again, like I'll speak about this open and honestly, because we're all human. But I had a client in and her sister bought the appointment, so deposit was paid there and then, and then also her sister messaged me a couple of weeks prior to the appointment and said, Can I just fin pay off the remaining? And um, I'll be really honest, I completely forgot to write it in my diary. So, as this client's paying for the remaining bit of the appointment, because I hadn't written it down, yeah, I took the payment obviously, and then she was like, Oh, did my sister not sort? And I was like, uh, I don't have anything written down, completely slip my memory. So then her sister then contacted me pretty fuming, and she was like, um, like, you know, I I paid for it, sent me screenshots and stuff. Like, she was okay, but she was pretty miffed off because there was like a bit of a obviously miscommunication. Yeah. And I was like, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, you're absolutely right. You did message me, um, send me your details back and I'll transfer it over. But she was a bit like cold, or like, I'm not gonna lie. And so I just said, I'm so sorry, like my head is literally up my bum. Like, we lost my father-in-law passed away literally, like, not last night, the night before, so my head's everywhere, and I I'll be honest, I completely forgot to write it down anyway, two weeks ago. And honestly, like her whole attitude just changed, and like like it was lovely, but I feel like why do I have to say something like that for people to be kind? Like, I'm a one-man band, I'm not a robot, I don't have to tell you that I've got stuff going on at home. Like, you could just be like, no worries, like accidents happen, here are my details. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, because I just was like, this is proof that like people just don't give a shit. No, like, do you know what I mean? Like, I don't have a boss to be like, it's alright, I've got you on this one.

SPEAKER_02

No, exactly. And that's like, I just want to first of all, before we even continue this conversation, I just want to give you a freaking shout out for actually and Ethan as well, just for a continuing showing up, yeah, for continuing and also showing up to somebody's day and just actually putting on a smile and making sure that they have the best day possible when you're going through something absolutely shit. And yeah, every supplier will have been through something and will be able to resonate with this because you do have to, and you do have and we've said it before, you have to like forget what is going on at home, and you have to turn up and you have to just and for me, like it works another way.

SPEAKER_01

Like, I cope with that quite well. I'm the same as you. But I'd rather keep myself busy into it, and I know that not everyone's like that, and that's fine, and doing it wrong. Sometimes I'm not always like that. Um, but that's how I cope. Like, I'd rather be busy than be sight at home kind of thing.

SPEAKER_02

But I think if you are listening to this and a supplier is maybe not responding, but you see them showing up on socials, or if they've something has gone wrong, just please, like, and the same goes for a supplier with the bride and groom. If they're not replying or something has happened, like I've had it where I've chased a couple and they've been like really sorry, we've lost somebody so close to them, and I've been like, take your time, you don't need to reply straight away.

SPEAKER_01

I know, it's just having you just don't know what's going on behind closed doors.

SPEAKER_02

With anyone, like you say, like and also you're not gonna put that on to your Instagram, you're not gonna put that on and shout about it because it's a personal private matter at the end of the day.

SPEAKER_01

And it's as much as it's like my father-in-law, and I'm very much supporting like Ethan and his family, it's also not my parents, so I've found my place quite not difficult because they haven't made it difficult at all, but I I've found it a bit like where do I stand here? Yeah, it's a bit awkward, yeah. Um and then with all that, so it's like bittersweet. Ethan's sister went into labour early and had baby Darcy, which is amazing. She's beautiful, yeah. Like beautiful. Those photos are gorgeous, yeah. Oh, yeah. Um, so like a baby was born and then we lost someone, which was just madness. Like, I am such a big believer of if you lose someone, another person is then then comes into your life and into the world. Um, so then like whole missed out on everything that was going on with a dad. It was it's honestly just been a whirlwind. Yeah. Um, and point is just like like you said, just have a have a bit of patience and just understanding that this person is your supplier, but also the human at the end of the moment. Yeah, yeah. You just never know. Um, but as well, with all that, my dad got the all clear of the sea as well. Yay!

SPEAKER_02

Oh my god, you've not told me that yet. Yeah, my dad's that's amazing.

SPEAKER_01

This is what I mean. Everyone's gonna be like, Wow, Sophie is trauma dumping right now. But like I when I say I've had shit going on, I have had shit going on, okay?

SPEAKER_02

Literally from January, this is all we can get as well.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so my dad now has got the clear from Cam. Which is amazing. Yeah, um, so yeah, as much as that's a pretty sad, sad bit of news, it's there's also a lot of positives with it. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it's and and you've just got to you have to you have to kind of see the positives in that.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, but as well. Look forward to life, really. I think that's again like pretty deep, but it's definitely made us all just think like life is to be lived. It's too short, yeah. And if you're not happy, change it.

SPEAKER_02

Big time. So yeah, what about you? Um, what has gone on? I don't even know. Let me have a look at my calendar.

SPEAKER_01

What's been happening in your personal life? Well, P is a full-on toddler. Fuck me.

SPEAKER_02

Honest to God. I think I said it to somebody. I was like, last wedding season, she fucking nearly walked. So she walked eight months, so she was crawling everywhere, walked within eight months. Like tiny as this. I walked young, Johnny walked young. Oh really? So seven months for him, nine months for me. She's banging the middle eight. No way, isn't that funny? So there's no wonder A, she walked quick, but also she is feral. She is she's feral on the best way possible. She is freaking hilarious. Um her saying my name. I know that's the first time she's done that. So I've always said, It's quite a hard name. It is. It's an oats. And I was on the phone to my friend this morning, and she's called um Heidi, and she went, Heidi. And I was like, She's just getting so clever with her speech. Picking everything off. Yeah. Nursery. It was like, I was like, Yes, this is a mum win. Um I picked up, I picked her up from nursery, and they were like, So we were looking at when Paisley's supposed to be going into the toddler creek. We were like, oh my god, it's not for like another four months.

SPEAKER_01

And I was like, We want to put her down early, she's needs it.

SPEAKER_02

Well, they've said they've they've not said that yet. Um, but one of her friends is going in, and her dad has been like, You're not splitting them up, are you? Because she's constantly going into she's constantly in there anyway. They're both going in and out of there. That's why her speech is sewing developed. She's apparently she'll just take herself in there and they're like, Okay, bye. Oh, she's ready then. Honest to God, she's like Will she needs settle ins? Probably not. So just run in. Hi guys! She literally, the door was open to nursery some more. She just went in and I was like, Bye. And they were like, Do you not want to say goodbye to mum? And she just went like that to Philip to pick her up and she just went, Oh.

SPEAKER_01

And I was like, See you then, hon. That makes she feels so much better though. So much better than them crying, right?

SPEAKER_02

But she loves nursery. We've actually got a preschool meeting on Wednesday to try and see if we can get them into preschool. I know, don't share that on here. Um, so we've got that on Wednesday. That's scary, which is super, super scary. But she can't start there until she's two. But I'm like, she's ready for it now. Like, yeah, she's been like, and don't remember, every child develops so so differently. So if you listen to this, like, oh my god, I've got a 16-month-old, why the hell isn't my talking and walking? Doesn't matter, like they're still so different, they develop so differently. I've just we've just been like she I also feel like I've been robbed of a baby because like she winked and she was like, she went from newborn to toddler, yeah. Like there was no in between at all, she was just gone. Yeah, like we've lowered her bed down over these last couple of weeks, so we did that last not this weekend, just gone the weekend. But she's staying in it, she stayed in it, fine. So she's now in a toddler bed. But she she slept three from four weeks, so I'm touching I don't jinx myself for tonight. Yeah, she has done. This morning's the only night where she's woke up early and she woke up at half past four. Johnny just put it back down and she went back down until half five. It's hot and light as well, isn't it? It was 28 in a room last night, and then it went down to 24 this morning, so and she likes being warm and she was literally just in a nappy. So I think she just got a bit cold. Um, so yeah, so we dropped that. We've we put baby gate on a room because we woke up, do not come for me any parents. We woke up and learned that she can open doors and she's trying to climb the top of flights of our stairs because we're like you in the three-story house. And I was like, get down now. How have you found the heat in the house? Fine. Have you? Since I bought those. Yeah. I was that person that I said to say from the what the fuck aisles, that's what we call them. Yeah, in Aldi. I was in the queue at half past seven with all the oldies, and I picked up five of those at the end.

SPEAKER_01

Did anybody else buy them? Did you know they got they got rented by all of the oldies? Special buys just are special buying. They were 14 quid. I wish I'd picked one up. 14 pounds. I've not seen them since in in Mac Aldi. I went to Northwich one, but they were in Mac one as well. That's a big one, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. I was like, she stood there at like half past seven, like, come on, you'd open up. How many did you buy? Five. Five. I didn't buy them all for me, I bought them for other people. Right. So like friends were like, Can you get me one? My sister-in-law was like, Can you get me one? I was like, Yeah, sure, fine, whatever. And then yeah. Scare buying uh A7. Johnny was like, I'm surprised they let you buy that many. And I was like, So was I, but I was getting out of there as quick as I could. How would they no? They can, no, sometimes they will do. They'll then let you buy a second. Can you put two of them back, please? I'd be like, Yeah, sure, but can my child buy one? And then yeah. There's two busy. I'll get her pocket money out. This is her money, really, not mine. Um, but yeah, we've had a busy time with her, had back to back, literally like meetings. The longest day on you didn't speak about that, the long yeah, that was Friday. Saturday. So that was for the farm wedding. So where are we on my calendar when I last saw you? Yeah, so we've had Can you talk about Saturday?

SPEAKER_01

Because you said I will fill you in on the podcast. Obviously, you had that was just sort of just the fainting scenario.

SPEAKER_02

So um when I last saw you, we've obviously had guests on which we've already been on, we had the amazing single waiters. I had an event in Manchester with Florence and Vera for their um society group. That was really good. I've seen that really nice. Yeah, that was it was a really good event actually, and it was really nice meeting other suppliers that have uh also it was really nice meeting um other suppliers that we follow each other on Instagram, but you know when you've never met it, yeah. Um which was really, really, really lovely, and that was a really good day, but again, it was so hot. Where was that held at? Um The Allen in Manchester. Didn't know where. Like a bar or a hotel? A hotel. Really good. And then we had a couple weddings for the weekend after. Um, Georgia had a few, I had a few. Um one of which was for a couple that had booked me ages ago um at Highfield Hall. And nice. I'm not gonna lie, and I hope they don't mind me saying this. I thought it was gonna be so busy because of, and I think I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago. They had booked so many different things, and it was they'd they'd got like different suppliers, and in my head, I was a bit like let's make this work and flow. And you know what? Did it?

SPEAKER_01

We made it work. Isn't it proof that like we get so hepped up and and we overthink every scenario? And then on the day, oh yeah, I feel like that's more common because like I moving on from that, I am so anxious about this destination wedding I've got coming up on the 25th of July.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, I'm so excited for this though.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, we can obviously talk about it all.

SPEAKER_02

Um I feel like we both need to do destination one, yours and then mine, because mine's the 5th of September. So I feel like that week after that Monday, maybe we should talk about destination weddings.

SPEAKER_01

But I'm really anxious, like I can't I can't tell you I've just for what? They're in the doing stuff. So obviously, I've done two before now. Before before this one, I've got another one next year. I think because this one's mixed, like it's my friend, I'm a bridesmaid, I'm doing the makeup, and basically, so my friend decided that she was having a destination wedding eight months prior to the date that it's gonna fall on. So I obviously already had multiple bookings on this weekend. Um, and I've supposed to be a few years. I remember we've we've had a conversation, yeah. Yeah, and um I had to change the weddings that I had booked in. So there were four weddings that fell on this weekend, and I've had to cancel or move the booking over to somebody else. I've had to cancel three of them, and two out of the three were unreal, one of them was made me upset, but it's okay, like we're over it. Um but then the one that I couldn't cancel, like I said, there were four, um, is because she had a trial two years prior. She's like, I've done mul multiple of her friends again, another farmer girl, she's lovely. Um, and I just said to like my husband Ethan, I was like, I can't afford to cancel anything else when I'm already taking time away to go and do the wedding. Um yada yada yada yada, right? So I've kept this book booking in. So I've got to do this bride on the Saturday. And you're going away straight away afterwards. Yeah. Um, but basically, all of the crew are all of the guests, everybody is flying out the Saturday morning whilst I'll be at work. This is a huge wedding, by the way. There's 12 people in the wedding on the Saturday. Um to bring another makeup artist with me. It's a big bridal party. The bride, she's called Charmaine, she knows the scenario because I said to her you're the chosen one, and she was laughing and then I explained why. And then she was like, Oh my god, why didn't you just cancel it? And I was like, No, like one, I didn't I don't want to cancel anybody. Two, you had your trial two years ago. No, it's done, it's sorted. But I couldn't get any direct flights from Manchester to Athens. No, have you actually got to go and get get one from somewhere else? Have you got Liverpool? No, so because I needed tea time, a tea time flight. So I have to do this wedding. I've then got to decant all of my kit as soon as I'm home. Oh no! Because obviously I need it for the morning of of the day and I need it to go away with. So all my clothes will be packed. I mean, I won't need a lot anyway, because I'm not there for too long. Um I've got to fly Manchester to Heathrow. I've got an hour from Heathrow when I'm in Heathrow to Athens. So I'm panicking about Manchester being delayed because they're always frickin' delayed, because I will literally miss the flight to the wedding. The wedding's the next day. I don't arrive to in Athens till three in the morning. I've got to be up at half nine, I've got to complete seven people's makeup, be a bridesmaid, and then my fucking best friend has asked me to do a speech. No, and I have been giving it all that on these episodes. I would never do a speech, I can't do a speech. No, no, no, no. And here I am, guys, doing a frickin' speech. No, I'm honoured that she's asked me. So I've been writing my speech over the weekend and I'm super emotional about it because this friend I've known since I was four. She's a huge part of my life. Um, but I'm doing a speech, so we'll have all that to talk about.

SPEAKER_02

Oh my god. So I'm stressed.

SPEAKER_01

I am so anxious.

SPEAKER_02

I didn't realize you weren't gonna get there until three o'clock in the morning.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, not gonna get to the hotel until three in the morning. I've got to book it half night. Ethan was like, it's fine, babe. Wedding's not until four. Five. Five it is. And I was like, Yeah, you're not working, hon. You can have a lie in. I've got to be up.

SPEAKER_02

You've got to do people's makeups as well and be on top form. I want you if you're ever to be a bridesmaid again, not to do anything's makeup.

SPEAKER_01

Can't stress us enough. And more honestly, I said to Ethan, I was like, I will be buzzing when I am on that Heathrow to Athens flight. Oh, of course you will, but I'm so so anxious that Manchester's gonna be delayed.

SPEAKER_02

It shouldn't be. Who are you flying with?

SPEAKER_01

British Always.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you'd be fine. Um that's what I'm stressing. That flight literally goes so quickly. Well it's an hour, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01

But it's not it it literally takes less than an hour. And then obviously we've got an hour to get to the next flight. Yeah, you'll be fine. But you're just straight through, aren't you?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you'll be absolutely have you got hand luggage, is that it?

SPEAKER_01

No.

SPEAKER_02

And I'm panicking that is Ethan going with you?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

But I'm I'm worried, what if the case gets lost and that's my kit my kit's in the the big case? That's why I've got to take a big case. Because I can't do that.

SPEAKER_02

Can you not take some stuff with you in your hand luggage just to be on the safe side? Yeah, and I'd maybe split it and do it that way just in just in case. Can you imagine if everything got lost? But if the thing is, the worst case scenario is if you split it, you get on that flight and Ethan gets another one and gives you your kit the next morning. What do you mean? So say for example, you get there, your bag's not come through yet, but your flight is like in half an hour, like in 20 minutes, and you're like, no, we need to go now. You get on that flight without Ethan, Ethan gets one on the next morning, that morning. Oh, why can't you? And if you take half of your kit with you, at least you can start something when you get there. True. I when I've got connecting flights before, you'll be fine.

SPEAKER_01

It should be fine. I thought they put the case on for you. Yeah, but I'm saying just in case it doesn't, yeah. Yeah, we'd have to go to the airport and pick it up or whatever they deliver it, don't say the hotel, but it'll be like two days after. But I I that's why I'm saying you need to put some stuff in your case. Do you think I should sack off the big case and just try and get it all decanted into my my hand luggage?

SPEAKER_02

Uh why don't you d decant most of it into your hand luggage and then whatever you else can give you because you're still gonna need to take a big case anyway.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I don't realize it my bridesmaid dress was always going in my um hand luggage. But Ethan's got hand luggage as well, so why don't you put his stuff in the case? It's just the liquid scenario. Because on the way home I'm not bothered.

SPEAKER_02

But remember, you can take as much as as long as it's a hundred mil. An under, yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I will be fine. I'm just obviously very anxious.

SPEAKER_02

And also remember, Ethan can take some too. Doesn't always have to fall new. Yeah. It can be part of Ethan's.

SPEAKER_01

And then my friend Dan, he's a bridesmaid, so he's coming, he's said, I'll just get the tea time flight with you. He was like, I just would rather fly with you. So he's actually going to be with us. But he's just as much use as a chocolate fire guard, I'm not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_02

But at least like if if Dan if Dan's got a stuff as well as.

SPEAKER_01

I know, and they're boys, so they won't have as many.

SPEAKER_02

They won't have no.

SPEAKER_01

I'm I we're everyone's like, You're overthinking it, but I get why. I get why.

SPEAKER_02

Because a lot falls on you that morning, that's why. But worst case scenario is you can do people's makeup with other people's makeups.

SPEAKER_01

You can be like, right, what's everybody got? Do you know what I mean by that? So, like and I've already said to the girls in the group chat, which is what I do for every destination anyway, and that I need yert, I need a look in mine because I'm I'm taking minimal stuff, I'm not bringing everything. No, um, so sorry, my bra's coming out, guys. All right, my big screen. Um yeah, so I've already said all that to them. I've decanting the decanton thing doesn't bother me. I'm just frightened that because I'm I am gonna put it in a different case.

SPEAKER_02

Whoever's a guest there as well, parents, whoever just gather everybody's makeup and be like, right, okay, you and knowing you, you'll work with what you've got.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I I will. Um you can I just I'm a bit flustered about it, I think. I think the wedding in the morning is making me like and it's an hour away. So mine destination wedding it's gonna be last year so long. Usually it is when I'm just a supplier, it's fine.

SPEAKER_02

When you're actually a bright, you've got other things to think about as well. And then she's just through the spanner in the work table, you do a speech. I was like, not to self. When I have a wedding and it's a destination, yes, Sophie's doing the makeup, but she's also a girl, so there's no pressure.

SPEAKER_01

Oh god. I mean, I love my bridesmaid dress, so that's a bonus. Um, but no, I am excited. She's my friend's getting married at foot the four seasons. I know.

SPEAKER_02

Oh, speaking, that's just reminding me. I went to go and see the new Fairmont. Okay. Over the last couple of weeks. Yeah. Stunning. Really? Yeah, it's stunning. How come you had to go and see it? Um, they've just invited me. Elizabeth just invited me over to go and see it. It's really nice. For a site visit. Exciting. Um, she lives near you. Does she? Yeah. Oh yeah, she does down the road. She does, she literally lives down the road. Yeah. Um yeah. So she was like, oh, I literally live down the road from Sophie. No way. She's like, how is she? I was like, yeah, she's fine. Oh.

SPEAKER_01

Just a quick one before we finish. Because we've been chatting for ages. And I just looked at the time and I was like, oh my good. Taylor Swift wedding. I want to know all they got. Same and we and we won't. And I'm really annoying me. I know. I mean, I get why it's so um private.

SPEAKER_02

But at the same time, we're waiting for the details. Big time. And really, really. They were out at a friend's wedding yesterday. Was it yesterday before I started? Taylor Swift? Yeah. Where are they? I've not really been on socials. Hmm. So very I also had a cute, really, really lovely um register office, um Chester Town Hall. And as I walked in, they were like, Hey! And I was like, Hi, I'm back. Um and that was so lovely to be back at Chester Town Hall. I love doing weddings that um literally love it because obviously I grew up in Chester. Um my mum still lives there. Like it's just yeah, I think I just know it like the back of my hand. Literally love it. Um very, very big part of my my childhood. So um love being there. So they were like, oh my god, hello. And the wedding coordinator from Chester Town Hall, um, literally as she walked in, because I was at the top of the stairs waiting for the bride to come through, and um, she was like, I've just been dressed shopping, and I said yes to the dress. I was just like, Oh my god, no way! But she'd obviously gone off and said yes, and she was like, I was dragging it, chat trying on dresses in like 33 degree heat, and she was like, I couldn't have thought of anything worse, but she was like, I found the one. Oh my word, like brilliant. You should need a wedding coordinator. Um, and then coming up, I'm just having a look. We're at Capes Thorn together, yeah. Tuesday. Tuesday. I'm at Crew Hall for a stunning wedding with um I'm at Arley Hall next weekend. Next weekend coming. I can't wait to talk about that one. Yeah. Um, I'm then at Highfield Hall again, I'm then in Grangefields, I'm then at Lake District for four days. I'm then at Coleshaw. Um at Swanley. Which when I'm at Swanley. I think it's Swanley on the 8th. Um Doorfold Hall, we've got a fair few coming up.

SPEAKER_01

I love it there. If I got married in the UK, that is where I would get it.

SPEAKER_02

Doorfold is gorgeous. We've got I think we've got four already in the diary for Doorfold next year. Oh yeah. Yeah. Go yeah. And then I've got a couple like five more, and I've got Henry in the between that in August. I've got my 30th.

SPEAKER_01

Wow, wow, wow.

SPEAKER_02

I had Johnny's 30th two weeks ago, didn't I? Oh yeah. And then I go to Spain. Amazing. Pro-destination wedding. And then got more weddings, and then hopefully we can get a trip in to go to London on holiday. Oh, in October. I hope so. Yeah, you deserve it. I feel like and like you said last Saturday, I was I was I was dead. Usually we stay over. So if we've got because we do a lot in Shropshire and Shrewsbury, because it literally only takes us like a couple of hours to get there. But after we've done, like even the bride said it on Saturday, she was like, You haven't sat down for the whole day and you've been here since literally just before nine o'clock. And she's like, You've wecause it was a DIY wedding, we put out all the tables, everything that they'd done themselves, like they'd got all the tablecloth runners, all the decors, we just had to put it out for them, we had to set up the whole room. Um, we obviously then helped um the groom set up the venue because it's obviously his family farm and his parents as well, and do all of that. And then um she was literally just like, you haven't stopped. Like and I was like, I haven't, but I know when I do stop, I'm gonna crash, and that's what I'm saying. You feel hungover, don't you? And I'm so glad that Georgia was in the car with me when I was driving back because I was literally like this. Yeah. But I've got like I don't know why, but I I put on some new sandals on frickin' Thursday. Oh no, and have given me I went on a walk with my friend and they gave me blisters. So, like on this wedding on Saturday, like the blister had like opened. Georgia's got a video of me walking out the petrol station with my shoe in my hand. She was expecting me to like be walking out limping because I walked in limping, but I got some blister plasters from this petrol station as I filled up on the way back. And um I'll have to share the video, but like she just could I could just see her filming, and I'm walking out like this, but I'd walked out like this before I knew she was filming, and I had this, and I was like, I've got blister plasters in a shoe, and obviously we're the only ones in this petrol station. And the guy in the after petrol station was like, You alright? I was like, just a blister, just please just let me pay for them and and go. Yeah, I've got no energy left, even talk, nothing in me. Um got my noses running. Um, but yeah, that was a long day. I didn't get until like hot, it was 12.28 when I got in in the morning and we left. I got up at 5 a.m. I know. It is such a long day, isn't it? Yeah, very long day. So I did a you day. Yeah. Yeah, literally. It's lovely it's the early start of the world.

SPEAKER_01

Knackers you want.

SPEAKER_02

It's been lovely catching up on. I know, yeah, you too. Um we've got a couple of guests coming up on the next few apps. So please let us know who else you want. If there's anybody in particular a supply or anything like that that you're thinking, no, let's get you on.

SPEAKER_01

Or like they'd be a good one, you know who you're working with for your wedding. Listen to. Yeah, yeah, please like and send them our podcast. So you've been listening to this podcast.

SPEAKER_02

Right, and it's absolutely a couple of other suppliers as well that I need to tell you about as well. Okay, amazing. Afterwards. Um so on that note, Joella, where can everybody find us? TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and we are all the Isle Diaries Podcast.

SPEAKER_01

And the email address for bridal spirals, because we need them, yeah, are um the aisle diaries podcast at gml.com. Yes, she's got it right! And where can everyone find you, so? Instagram, tick tock, and Facebook, and it is sophie.brown.makeup or the bridal pages sb.makeup. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And you can find me at uh seraphina weddings underscore on Instagram, and Facebook and TikTok is just at seraphina weddings.

SPEAKER_01

We actually did have a bright big bridal spiral, you know. We can do that next week. Yeah, yeah, remember it.

SPEAKER_02

We'll do it next week.

SPEAKER_01

We're a bit behind our socials, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, we are still here, and we are back. We're back. Thank you so much for you next week.